It started so well for Wales, but it was to end in disaster as England landed a huge psychological blow to their World Cup opponents at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night to kick off the Six Nations.

Wales took the lead and led up to the 61st minute, but could not stop an English onslaught late on as the visitors took the spoils.

A Grand Slam bid lies in tatters after game one, as England were simply better than their hosts on a night of woe in the Welsh capital.

The sides will meet again in eight months times in the World Cup in Twickenham, and already even now England will head into the contest as clear favourites after claiming a come-from-behind win over Warren Galand’s men in their own backyard.

This was not good enough for Wales, they were out-matched across the field by an England side still missing a raft of their star performers, and doesn’t bode well for their World Cup hopes.

Talking points

LEARN TO STOP THE ROLLING MAUL: Easier said than done of course, England are experts at setting up the driving line out and winning penalties. Wales managed to an extent on Friday night, shutting England down at source and not allowing them to get up a head of steam, but it will be a harder concept to nullify in the cauldron of Twickenham when the World Cup rolls around in less than a year.

USE THE BACKS MORE: One time Jamie Roberts was used on a crash ball, and he gained up to 15 yards as England struggled to drag him down.

Roberts is one of the most devastating runners in world rugby, he stands at 6ft 4ins and weighs 17st 5lbs, and is quick. On the charge there are not many who can handle a rampaging Roberts, but was under-utilised in attack as Wales instead employed a poor kicking game.

Jonathan Davies, George North and Alex Cuthbert likewise were given little possession with which to work.

SHORE UP THE SET PIECE: Wales creaked in the scrum and didn’t enjoy the best of days at the line out either. There was one particular line out in the first half where Wales were given a slice of luck as Mike Brown kicked out on the full after Anthony Watson took the ball back into his 22, but from the resulting line out, Richard Hibbard over threw his man and England were able to clear.

It is these kind of errors Wales have to eradicate if they are to make an impact in the pool of death at the World Cup. New Zealand would have at least taken three points from such a gift of possession and territory, Wales simply turned the ball over and allowed their visitors to clear their lines.

TRY OR NO TRY?: Video referee Simon McDowell didn’t think so and that is all that matters as Dave Attwood was denied with five minutes remaining to kill off the match.

Attwood forced his way over fine for the score, but it was controversially chalked off as Nick Easter was guilty of running in to Dan Biggar to create space for England to attack out wide.

Points

Wales 3-0 England, PENALTYLeigh Halfpenny, two minutes. Wales won possession after kicking off and looked to go through the phases, which lead to Jonny May not rolling away after tackling Alex Cuthbert, giving Halfpenny a shot at goal which he took.

Wales 10-0 England, TRYRhys Webb, CONVERSION Leigh Halfpenny, eight minutes. The Wales scrum was going backwards on the England five metre line, and it took some excellent work from Taulupe Faletau to break off the back of the set piece, draw two men and feed Rhys Webb to cross in the corner.

Wales 10-5 England, TRYAnthony Watson, 15 minutes. England respond with some territory and possession and it pays off as Wales are stretched out with and Anthony Watson beats both Halfpenny and Jonathan Davies to Mike Brown’s grubber kick to touch down. George Ford’s conversion comes back off the post.

Wales 13-5 England, CON Halfpenny, 22 minutes. Wales caught in midfield but are given a chance for points as Dan Cole can’t resist putting his hand into a ruck, and Halfpenny makes him pay with the resultant penalty.

Wales 13-8 England, PENALTYFord 30 minutes Ford reduces the deficit

Wales 16-8 England, DROP GOALDan Biggar, 40 minutes. Slotted over with an air of arrogance as Dan Biggar had already turned and was heading off the pitch for half time before the ball had sailed over the bar. Wales needed something extra to show for their performance and with the forwards driving away, Biggar sat in the pocket and delivered three points.

Wales 16-15 England, TRY Jonathan Joseph, CON Ford, 43 minutes. England were going through the phases on the Welsh line and after a monstrous hit on Ford by Jamie Roberts, the ball was moved one more phases for Joseph to shrug off the tackles of George North and Biggar to run under the posts.

Wales 16-18 England, PEN Ford, 60 minutes. Ford slots over from dead in front of the posts as James Haskell is stopped from scoring a try by Faletau and Alex Cuthbert, the winger also receiving a yellow card in the act for seemingly not releasing the ball on the ground.

Wales 16-21 England, PENFord, 77 minutes. Ford seals the win as Wales were guilty of not releasing the ball at the ruck as they desperately looked to force a way back into the game.

Key moment

Jonathan Joseph’s try three minutes into the second half as England had dominated from the restart. Wales were standing up in defence against a barrage of English attacks before Joseph slipped under Biggar and North to dive over under the posts. Had Wales kept their opponents out this could have been such a different outcome.

Man of the match

Taulupe Faletau – good showing from the Wales No8 as he set up Rhys Webb for their only try. Worked hard in defence and carried well when given the ball.

Referee watch

Jerome Garces (Fra) – Sent Alex Cuthbert to the sin bin for an offence that had the whole of the press corps scratching their heads. Was strict at the break down and set piece, but tried to let the game flow.

Atmosphere

Exactly what you would expect from a packed Millennium Stadium on a Friday night when England arrive in Cardiff to kick off the Six Nations, electric.

Verdict

England have delivered a hammer blow to Wales’ mentality after a gripping game in Cardiff. England were simply too good in too many areas for Wales to resist.